Tyler Childers Joins The Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir on Stage
The Grateful Dead’s founding member and guitarist Bob Weir is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of his solo album Ace released in 1972, and he did so by taking the stage at the Radio City Music Hall in New York with his Wolf Brothers band on Saturday night (4-2) with a few special guests, including iconic bass player Ron Carter, rising country artist Brittney Spencer, and none other than Tyler Childers, who joined Weir on stage to sing the opening track on the Ace album, “The Greatest Story Ever Told.”
Tyler Childers collaborating with Bob Weir seems to be a little strange, and also makes perfect sense all at the same time. Weir has been reaching out to folks of the next generation of roots music to collaborate recently, including Billy Strings. Appearances by Tyler Childers have been very rare as of late, and this is only the third time he’s taken the stage in 2022 so far. He also appeared at the destination festival of The Avett Bros earlier this year, as well as a benefit with Robert Earl Keen in Texas.
Bob Weir’s Wolf Brothers band included Don Was on bass, Jay Lane on drums, Jeff Chimenti on keys, and Barry Sless on steel guitar. Weir also brought out an extended horn and string section for the event, and started by playing Bob Dylan’s “When I Paint My Masterpiece,” followed by “Me and My Uncle” and Jerry Garcia’s “Loser,” before launching into Ace in cycle. Brittney Spencer joined Weir on stage for the songs “Walk In The Sunshine” and “Looks Like Rain.”
Interesting that Tyler Childers was the collaborator on ‘The Greatest Story Ever Told,” which of course is an offbeat take on The Bible, since some rumors have Tyler Childers working on offbeat Gospel-themed material for his next album. Some of the songs Childers has been playing live recently fit along those lines, including one called “Luke” inspired by the angelic visitation surrounding the Christmas story, as well as his unreleased “Take My Hounds To Heaven” that Childers has been performing for years.
Some other new songs the now short-haired Childers has been performing recently include “Phone Calls & Emails,” as well as “Rusting In The Rain.” Whether Gospel-themed or otherwise, it’s likely Childers has an album’s worth of new material to share, and likely will sooner rather than later.
Meanwhile, if you missed Saturday night’s performance with Bob Weir, you have a second opportunity to stream it online as the same lineup will take the stage Sunday night at Radio City Music Hall, and it can be streamed online in a ticketed event.
You can also see Tyler Childers performing with Bob Weir and not knowing what to do with his hands in a fan shot video below.
April 3, 2022 @ 11:17 am
Interesting…this is good for Tyler because that festival circuit can grow his base.
The Dead/Bobby did Haggard, Cash, Jones and Robbins tunes, among others. In addition to their countrified originals. Jerry did a great deal of bluegrass too.
Also, Ron Carter is a giant of jazz. Part of Miles’ famed quintet and one of the creators of fusion.
April 3, 2022 @ 11:45 am
As obnoxious as some jam bands can be (looking at you Phish), the audience is into a ton of diverse acts and could really blow the doors off his touring and festival appearances. Glad Weir is still going strong, he was always a weaker singer and songwriter (though comparing anyone to Hunter/Garcia is completely unfair) but he always seemed cool and Jerry spoke highly about his guitar playing. The Dead and Company recently announced a summer tour and I bet they bring out a lot of guests. Might even go if they play The Gorge.
April 3, 2022 @ 12:51 pm
I’m not a fan of the Grateful Dead (aside from their classic “Touch of Grey”), but good for Mr. Childers.
April 4, 2022 @ 3:24 pm
You need your art spoonfed to you.
April 4, 2022 @ 4:50 am
Is there anyone with a larger chasm between their talent/skill and their success than Bob Weir? DJ Khaled gives him a run for his money, but we’ll see if Khaled is playing arenas when he is 70.
April 4, 2022 @ 6:26 am
Bob Weir played some of the most inventive, intricate rhythm guitar of the past 50 years. You have forgotten the face of your father.
April 4, 2022 @ 7:38 am
Yep. Without Bob’s chording, a lot of the places that Jerry went with the lead would never have been explored.
April 4, 2022 @ 10:55 am
Yes, Bobbie was great on rhythm guitar.
But his singing has always been third rate and these days not even that.
April 5, 2022 @ 10:58 pm
The Grateful Dead have never been about being the best at what they do….its always been about being the only ones who do what they do!!
April 6, 2022 @ 3:32 am
not knowing what to do with his ever lovin’ hands?